Mickael Pietrus to the Lakers? Kobe says 'yes'

Mickael Pietrus would like to play for the Lakers. Better yet, Kobe Bryant wants Pietrus to play for the Lakers.

Pietrus, who is under contract with the Phoenix Suns for one more season, told the French newspaper L'Equipe that Bryant uttered those exact words himself.

“Phoenix did not play me, but that's their problem. I continued to work. The only thing that interests me now is winning a title," he said. "A lot of teams are interested in me, like the Lakers or the Celtics. This came from the best player in the world: Kobe Bryant. He told me two months ago that he would like to see me with the Lakers.”

Fact, fiction or musings of the NBA lockout, Pietrus to the Lakers makes some sense.

With Shannon Brown opting out of his contract, the Lakers need athletic players such as Pietrus, who is known for 3-point shooting and defensive skills. He has averaged at least 36 percent from 3-point range in his past five seasons and played a key role in Orlando's run to the NBA Finals in 2009, averaging 10.5 points on 48.3 percent shooting off the bench in 24 playoff games.

One problem with that picture is the fact the Lakers have a bevy of small forwards -- Matt Barnes, Luke Walton, Ron Artest and Devin Ebanks.

But Pietrus, who has an expiring $5.3 million contract, is considered better than at least three of those players and could fit in the Lakers' offense.

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